The main US stock indexes finished trading mostly in the red

The main US stock indexes mostly declined, reacting to weak economic data. The minutes of the Fed meeting were also in focus. Meanwhile, trading activity was lowered on the background of the forthcoming Thanksgiving Day on Thursday.

Data showed that orders for durable goods fell by 1.2% in October, which is much worse than forecast (+ 0.3%). With the exception of transport, orders increased by 0.4%. Investment in business fell by 0.5% on the basis of a carefully monitored measure, known as orders for basic capital goods. However, the number of Americans applying for new unemployment benefits fell last week, which is the last signal that the labor market is on a solid foundation at the end of the year. Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 13,000 to 239,000, seasonally adjusted in the week to November 18, the Ministry of Labor said. Economists had expected 240,000 new applications.

As for the minutes of the Fed meeting, it was reported that the leaders at the last meeting expected an increase in the rate "in the short term" due to the improvement of the economic situation, while many noted that their decision would depend on whether inflation would accelerate. The document also indicated that the Central Bank executives admitted that the annual inflation rate could remain below the target level of 2% longer than expected. Most of the participants in the meeting still believed that the growth in demand for labor would lead to an acceleration of inflation in the medium term. However, the leaders discussed the likely reasons for the slowdown in prices, which, in their view, include the weakening of the link between the labor market and the rate of price growth, and the likely further growth in employment.

Most components of the DOW index finished trading in the red (21 out of 30). Outsider were shares of 3M Company (MMM, -1.09%). Leader of growth were shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ, + 2.09%).

Most sectors of the S & P index recorded an increase. The conglomerate sector grew most (+ 1.4%). The largest decline was shown in the financial sector (-0.1%).

At closing:

DJIA -0.27% 23,526.18 -64.65

Nasdaq + 0.07% 6,867.36 +4.88

S & P -0.08% 2,597.08 -1.95